University of Wisconsin–River Falls
River Falls, Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has been preparing students for purposeful careers and engaged lives since 1874. Situated in scenic western Wisconsin just 30 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul, UWRF offers students the intimacy of a small campus alongside genuine access to the resources of a major metropolitan region. With more than 70 programs across three colleges, UWRF draws students who want meaningful faculty relationships, hands-on learning, and a campus culture that feels like home.
Get to know University of Wisconsin–River Falls
College Highlights
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Experiential learning is central to a UWRF education. Students across all programs are expected to take their learning beyond the lecture hall through internships, research, fieldwork, and capstone projects. Engineering students complete a senior design capstone built on years of prior coursework. Data science majors complete both a practicum and an internship before graduating. In agriculture and environmental sciences, students study crop production on research plots, propagate plants in a greenhouse, or train horses at the Campus Farm. Whatever the program, students are expected to apply what they learn to real problems in real settings.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
The Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) supports student-faculty collaborative projects across all disciplines and at every stage of the undergraduate experience. Students present their work at regional and national conferences, with scholarships and travel grants available to support those opportunities.
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CAFES is one of the most distinctive features of the university. Home to two farms, two forests, a greenhouse, dairy and meat processing plants, and specialized labs for plant tissue culture and bioprocessing, the college gives students access to facilities that most universities cannot offer. A standout program within CAFES is the International Food Operations Management degree, a dual-degree partnership with Aeres University in the Netherlands in which students spend a year studying at each institution and graduate with degrees from both.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latine: 5%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 2%
White, non-Hispanic: 86%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 3%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 3%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 2%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%
ACTIVE ADVISING
UWRF pairs every student with both a full-time professional advisor and a faculty mentor. Through the first 60 credits, professional advisors guide students through academic planning, course selection, and connections to campus resources. After that milestone, faculty mentors offer discipline-specific guidance on research, internships, graduate school preparation, and career networking. This dual model ensures that students receive broad academic support early and increasingly specialized mentorship as they advance.
FACULTY INVESTMENT
Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio mean that students are known as individuals at UWRF. Faculty are consistently described as approachable and genuinely invested in student success.
CAMPUS LIFE
UWRF is home to more than 100 registered student organizations spanning performing arts, student media, academic societies, campus ministry, and more. Living-Learning and Themed Communities in the residence halls give students additional ways to connect with peers who share their interests or majors, with options including wellness, fitness, outdoor recreation, and a dedicated Pride Community. The campus calendar is full year-round, and students consistently describe UWRF as a place where getting involved is easy and connections come naturally.
RIVER FALLS AND THE TWIN CITIES
River Falls is a safe, walkable small city whose natural setting is a genuine draw. The Kinnickinnic River runs near campus, offering kayaking, tubing, and fishing practically at students’ doorsteps. When students are ready for something bigger, Minneapolis-St. Paul is just 30 miles away, putting world-class arts, dining, professional sports, and a robust job market within easy reach.
CAREER SERVICES
Career preparation at UWRF begins at orientation and continues for life; alumni retain access to career services long after graduation. The Career Services office partners directly with academic departments to integrate career readiness into coursework, all while offering résumé reviews, mock interviews, one-on-one counseling, and employer events. The Handshake platform gives students and alumni around-the-clock access to job and internship postings, employer connections, and appointment scheduling.
BUILT FOR THE WORKFORCE
UWRF’s combination of strong faculty mentorship, experiential learning across all programs, and an active employer network means graduates enter the workforce with practical skills and real professional experience. The university’s long-standing relationships with businesses and industries in the St. Croix Valley, paired with its proximity to one of the Midwest’s largest job markets, give students a meaningful pipeline into careers across virtually every field.
Admission
TEST SCORES
Optional
FRESHMAN PROFILE
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT English
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 25
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $6,837
Tuition (out-of-state): $15,583
Fees: $1,769
Room: $4,952
Board: $2,990
What Others are Saying
Contact University of Wisconsin–River Falls
Contact Admissions
uwrf.edu/admissions
(715) 425-3500
admissions@uwrf.edu
Campus Location
410 S. 3rd St.
River Falls, WI 54022
(715)425-3911